Job Summary:

The Diagnostic Sonographer is a critical member of the cardiovascular team, responsible for utilizing high-frequency sound waves and other diagnostic techniques to produce and evaluate ultrasound images and related data. This highly skilled and competent individual must be able to acquire and maintain specialized technical skills and medical knowledge to provide quality patient care.

The Diagnostic Sonographer must be able to produce and evaluate ultrasound images and related data that are used by physicians to render a medical diagnosis.

The Diagnostic Sonographer must acquire and maintain specialized technical skills and medical knowledge to provide quality patient care.

Diagnostic Sonographers acquire and evaluate data while exercising discretion and judgment in the performance of the clinical examination, and participate as an integral part of the cardiovascular team.

Diagnostic Sonographers in this department are cross-trained in Adult Echo, Pediatric Echo, Carotid Duplex Examinations, Stress Echo exams, and Transesophageal Echo.

Supports the mission, vision, and values of West Tennessee Healthcare and, under the direction of the Director of Cardiology, contributes to the accomplishment of the purpose of the Echocardiology department.

Under the general direction of the chief cardiac sonographer and the Director of Cardiology, the diagnostic sonographer is responsible for the assigned shift as scheduled including on-call status.

The employee is subject to call back and overtime as required by the hospital.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Perform Adult Echocardiography Examinations, Carotid Duplex Examinations, Pediatric Echocardiography, Stress Echocardiography, and Transesophageal Echocardiography.
2. Recognize normal and abnormal findings and communicate those to the reading physician.
3. Obtain diagnostic quality images following exercise, or during the administration of drugs which act upon the heart to increase heart rate and blood pressure.
4. Have a firm knowledge of the physiologic and diagnostic aspects of the exam, Including drug side effects and interactions, and possible complications that may arise concerning the examination, and the proper medical responses.
5. Understand the coronary artery distribution and perfusion of the heart, EKG rhythms, and able to aid the physician in recognition of wall motion abnormalities.
6. Explain testing to the patient, enter data in the computer systems, prepare reports for Physician in the monitoring of the patient during an examination.
7. Participate in a quality assurance program to ensure safe and effective equipment and examination findings that may require an immediate clinical response and notify the interpreting physician or other appropriate physicians.
8. Assist in the training and orientation of new personnel to the laboratory as required by Chief Sonographer.
9. Demonstrate the ability to do mathematical calculations and use instrument controls, computer programs, and internal analysis.
10. Employ professional judgment and discretion to protect the patient's rights and privacy, perform within the scope of practice, and to adhere to the professional code of conduct.

Requirements:

Education:
Must be registry eligible per standards of ARDMS or CCI pre-requisites for eligibility to sit the registry examination

Licensure, Registration, Certification:

Obtain the current active status of RDCS or RCS credentials as provided by the ARDMS or CCI within one year of employment.

Maintained active during the length of employment at West Tennessee Healthcare through the attainment of continuing education credits as delineated by the ARDMS or CCI.BLS certification must be obtained within the orientation period, and certification must be kept current while in this position.

Experience:
Prior experience as required by the ARDMS or CCI credentialing boards prior to sitting the ARDMS or CCI Registry

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